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Using a sprinkler controller to control lighting

I've heard some casual comments about how a I could use my sprinkler controller, a Hunter Pro-C, to manage a schedule for my low-voltage lighting. Can someone advise me on if this is true and if so, how I can get my controller to control my transformer?

Yes you can, but it really is no benefit to you to do so. You will still need to get a low voltage transformer for the lights, and most of those have a modular type connection for a timer or photocell. Since the both are reasonably priced (photocell & timer) its a better idea to use them instead. A photo cell can't be used with the Hunter ICC / Hunter Pro-c controller without heavy and complex wiring, so that will limit the functionality of the low voltage lighting system.

As Josh said, you can do it, but it can be a bit complex. If you're familiar with electronics, you can drive 24/lighting input voltage relays to run each lighting transformer in any give area. I've done about a half dozen systems and have had good results. Lighting can be made to turn on and off at each "station" at designated times, just as with sprinkler zones.

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There are 5 tramsformers around my house for low voltage lighting. A really simple control setup is to plug each into a Black and Decker X-10 outdoor remote switch. The X-10 system reacts to commands that are sent over the house wiring from all types of X-10 controllers and switches that are plugin or wireless, CHEAP and can be anywhere in the house including on your computer. This gives you even bedside control of outdoor lighting (if you want it for security checks). There are lots of other options including replacing the outdoor receptacle with an X-10 receptacle for about $12. The beauty of this system is that you don't have to reset timers in case of a power failure or DST change. The computer interface also adjusts for incremental dawn/dusk time changes yearround on a daily basis. Be sure to pull the time pegs on the transformers and leave them in the ON state. Checkout sites like www.x10.com or smarthome.com. You can probably do 3 transformers for $100 total including the $50 computer interface in about 30 minutes.